SOLID BAR MOUNTING KIT

Without the special punch the process may be a bit more difficult:

A more universal punch will drive out the steel center tube and often the rubber but leave the outer sleeve in the triple clamp. Or if the bike has sat in the weather the original handle bar mounting rubber bushing 97-1527 may be rotted out entirely.  Even with the the correct punch it can be a tedious task. Without the center tube it is nearly impossible to locate the punch correctly.  This may require removal of the: top fork nuts, center stem nut, and top triple clamp. Attempting this job with the top clamp on the bike is not advised as you is likely to damage the fuel tank or headlamp bucket.

First you need to cut the bushing sleeve. Try to not cut the triple clamp if you can. A hacksaw does this job well. The goal is to collapse the bushing sleeve to restore the hole to the original size (.750 or 3/4 inch). Once cut a flat blade screw driver or pointed metal punch can be used. Using a twisting motion rather than prying seems to be the most effective. See pictures below.